CalWORKS, Medi-Cal, or Foster Care Cases

A case will be opened automatically for any child receiving CalWORKS, Foster Care, or Medi-Cal benefits. In these cases, the Department of Social Services will refer the case to the Child Support Services, unless a good cause exemption is granted. In order to maintain their grant eligibility, parents who apply for public assistance must cooperate with the child support caseworker to establish parentage and to obtain child support payments. Except in a foster care case, the first $50 of child support collected each month for children receiving public assistance is paid directly to the primary custodial party. The remainder of the child support payment collected goes to the County for reimbursement of the welfare benefits. For more information about child support and CalWORKS, Foster Care and Medi-Cal cases, please refer to the State of California Child Support Handbook in English and Spanish.

Domestic Violence Cases

Child Support Services puts your safety and security first. If you need help collecting child support from a violent or potentially violent individual, inform child support staff of your concerns immediately, and we will develop strategies that protect you and the child(ren).

What To Bring To Your Appointment with Child Support Services

When opening a child support case, you should gather and bring to any appointment as much information as possible. A case can still be opened without all of the information listed below, but our success is dependent on the information you provide. Child Support Services will want the following:

Information about you:

Full name, address, and phone number

Date of birth

Social Security Number

Paycheck stubs

Name, address, and phone number of employer or former employer

Tax returns for the last two years, including W-2 forms and 1099 forms

Existing child support orders

Marriage license

Divorce order or separation agreement

Information about the child:

Each child's full name, address, and phone number

Each child's date of birth and copy of birth certificate

Each child's Social Security Number

Proof of paternity

Information about the other parent:

Full name, address, and phone number

Date of birth

Social Security Number

Name, address, and phone number of employer or last employer, union or self-employment information

A recent photograph or description

The names and phone numbers of friends or family

Information about past involvement with the child

The names of any clubs or organizations

Information about valuables, such as real estate, cars, motorcycles, boats, RVs, other property, or property s/he may inherit

Copies of paycheck stubs, bank statements for checking, savings, or other accounts

Tax returns for the last two years, including W-2 forms and 1099 forms

We can copy your documents for you if necessary.

For more information on opening a child support case, please refer to the State of California Child Support Handbook in English and Spanish.

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